Temps de Flors returns in all its splendour

The colours and aromas of flowers will once again fill the streets, squares and monuments of Girona between 7 and 15 May. Girona's Temps de Flors show, one of the events that bring most tourists to Girona, will almost be back to normal this year after it was called off in 2020 and a smaller, exclusively outdoor edition was held in 2021. "This year's show will not be 100%, but it will be almost normal", says Girona Councillor for Economic Promotion, Glòria Plana, who adds: "Girona recovers the essence of the floral show with connection with nature as a source of inspiration for many of the projects; and, above all, with an eye on hope and optimism that we all need from now on".

Holding the exhibition in its almost habitual format is also an incentive for the city's commerce and hospitality industry, which has been hit hard by the pandemic. "The city is alive again and we approach this edition of Girona Temps de Flors with enthusiasm and optimism regarding the economic revitalisation of the city. This event is not only a proposal for people to enjoy themselves, but also a key moment for all of Girona's economic sectors," mayor Marta Madrenas said.

Covid measures

The 67th edition of Girona Temps de Flors will hold 119 exhibits distributed around 107 spaces in the city, but "as a precaution" against covid, the organisation has decided that monuments where it is not possible to create one-way circuits will remain closed to the public. Palace courtyards in the old quarter which are usually decorated with flowers during the show will not be open to visitors this year – except for Casa Sambola – and neither will spaces such as the Carbonera or Torre Gironella.

In the Barri Vell, where there are usually more crowds, there will be four entry points and four exit points. Access will be on Pujada Sant Fèlix, Pujada Rei Martí, Plaça Jurats and Passeig Arqueològic. Exits will be through Pujada Sant Fèlix, Carrer Força (which will be only downhill), Plaça Sant Domènec and the Passeig Arqueològic. If the centre becomes overcrowded, access will be cut off space is freed up. In addition, the inauguration will not be held on the steps of the cathedral. Although it is not mandatory to wear a mask, the City Council recommends visitors to wear it, especially "wherever they see that there are bigger crowds or in enclosed spaces".

Recovery of emblematic spaces

The spaces that attract the most visitors, such as the cloister and the basements of the cathedral, or the Arab baths, which had not been incorporated into the Temps de Flors exhibition for the last two years, will again host floral projects and will be open to the public.

As it had begun to do before the pandemic, the show will extend beyond the Old Quarter and reach twelve neighbourhoods in the city. "We are taking Temps de Flors very close to Girona residents so that they can experience the exhibition as soon as they leave home," said mayor Marta Madrenas. In addition, as in previous years, four itineraries will be proposed to discover the floral arrangements (which will go through the Old Quarter, Taialà, Santa Eugènia-Sant Narcís and Eixample). The Open Night is also recovered this year, which allows you to visit the exhibition between seven in the evening and midnight for three days (two Saturdays and Wednesday).

Parallel events

Among the various activities that accompany the Temps de Flors exhibition are the Night of Museums, the Gastroflors (with menus in the city's restaurants), guided tours and the Girona, A Cappella festival, which this year reaches its tenth edition and will bring twelve a cappella groups to the city, with Straight No Chaser as headliners. The programme includes performances by Les Anxovetes, El Pony Pisador and Gospelians de Girona.

More than a thousand volunteers

The show is made possible by the over 1,000 volunteers who are in charge of decorating the spaces and monuments. "It doesn't happen anywhere that 1% of the residents of a medium-sized city are involved to carry out an event of these characteristics", the mayoress emphasises in reference to the "essential" task of the association Girona, Amics de les Flors.

For the moment, the City Council has not wanted to give estimates to visitor figures. Last year, the flower show attracted over 200,000. In previous years it had exceeded 255,000 visitors.